It might be time to rediscover your playful side – because new research suggests that gaming could do more than just entertain you. It could actually help keep your brain healthier and sharper for longer.
A recent study from ETH Zurich has found that “exergames” – video games that combine physical movement with brain training – may help slow memory decline and boost cognitive health in older adults.
Back in 2021, ETH researchers discovered that this kind of training improved thinking skills, physical ability, and overall quality of life for people living with severe dementia.
Now, two new ETH studies have revealed even more encouraging results, showing that exergames can also benefit older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
“Not only did game-based training improve the cognitive performance of study participants, but we also measured significant changes in their brains,” explains Patrick Manser, who is now carrying out research at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.
The research involved about 40 participants, with an average age of 73, who trained at home for 25 minutes a day, five days a week, over a 12-week period.
Using a system that included a screen and a floor panel with four pressure-sensitive spots, participants took part in a range of brain-and-body challenges designed to keep both mind and movement active.
“Tasks like these train specific cognitive abilities that deteriorate in dementia patients, such as attention, memory or visuospatial skills,” says Manser.
To help enhance the benefits, participants also practised slow, controlled breathing after each session. This helped stimulate the vagus nerve, which supports the nervous system and activates key areas of the brain involved in memory and thinking.
The results were impressive. In the first study, participants showed significant improvements in memory, attention, and overall cognitive performance.
Even better, these changes were noticeable in day-to-day life – from remembering shopping lists to enjoying smoother conversations and managing stressful situations with more ease.
By comparison, those in the control group – who continued with their usual treatments but didn’t play the games – experienced a decline in their condition, reflecting the typical progression of dementia.
“We hope that, with targeted exergame training, we’ll be able to slow down and reduce dementia symptoms,” explains project leader and co-author Professor Eling D. de Bruin, who carries out research at ETH Zurich and Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences OST.
The second study went a step further by examining brain scans to see if these improvements were visible – and they were.
Researchers found increases in the size of several key brain regions, including the hippocampus (essential for memory) and the thalamus. They also noticed positive effects in other areas linked to decision-making and attention.
In contrast, participants in the control group showed shrinkage in these same regions – a change commonly seen in dementia.
“These regions play an important role in neurodegenerative diseases. Reduced hippocampal volume is even considered an early feature of dementia,” explains de Bruin. T.
With games that get both your body and brain moving, staying sharp and active in later life might be as simple – and enjoyable – as pressing start.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.